choof off: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1 (low frequency, regional)informal, colloquial, somewhat dated
Quick answer
What does “choof off” mean?
to leave, depart (often quickly or without ceremony).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to leave, depart (often quickly or without ceremony).
A colloquial and somewhat dated, chiefly Australian/British phrasal verb for departing. It can imply leaving to go somewhere else or simply moving away from the current location.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily British (and Australian/New Zealand) usage. It is virtually unknown and unused in modern American English.
Connotations
In British English, it's a casual, slightly old-fashioned term. In American English, it is not recognized as a standard idiom.
Frequency
Very low frequency in modern British English, used occasionally for humorous or quaint effect. Zero frequency in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “choof off” in a Sentence
[Subject] + choof off + (adverb of direction)[Subject] + choof off + to + [place]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “choof off” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Right, I'm going to choof off before the traffic gets bad.
- He just choofed off without saying goodbye.
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in business contexts.
Academic
Not used in academic contexts.
Everyday
Only in very informal, potentially jocular conversation, typically among older or rural UK/Australian speakers.
Technical
No technical usage.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “choof off”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it in American contexts where it is not understood.
- Spelling it as 'chuff off' (though this is a related, more common British variant).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not inherently rude, but it is very informal and can sound abrupt or dismissive depending on tone and context. 'Bugger off' or 'sod off' are much ruder equivalents.
They are variants of the same idiom, both meaning 'to leave'. 'Chuff off' is slightly more common in modern British slang, while 'choof off' has stronger Australian and older British associations.
No. It is far too informal and colloquial for any kind of academic, business, or formal writing.
It is likely onomatopoeic, imitating the sound of steam or a puff of air/engine (like a train 'chuffing'), suggesting movement or departure. It is also recorded in Australian slang for 'marijuana' (unrelated to the phrasal verb).
to leave, depart (often quickly or without ceremony).
Choof off is usually informal, colloquial, somewhat dated in register.
Choof off: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃuːf ɒf/, and in American English it is pronounced N/A. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Choof off into the sunset (humorous/rural variant of 'ride off into the sunset').”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound a steam train ('chuff-chuff') makes as it departs. 'Choof off' sounds similar and means to depart.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEPARTURE IS THE SOUND OF A DEPARTING VEHICLE (e.g., a train 'chuffing' away).
Practice
Quiz
In which regional variety of English is 'choof off' primarily used?